Vietnam wants to eradicate leprosy
As one of the first countries in Asia to achieve the World Health Organization's criteria for national leprosy elimination, Vietnam aims to eradicate the disease.
The information was shared by Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Thuong, Director of the Central Dermatology Hospital atThe 40th Anniversary Celebration and Receiving the First Class Labor Medal of the Central Dermatology Hospital, May 20.
In Vietnam, all provinces and cities have been recognized as leprosy-free. "Thousands of doctors and nurses have gone to the most difficult places to detect the disease with the movement to eradicate leprosy in each region, then eliminate the disease...", Mr. Thuong said.
Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium Leprae. The disease causes damage to the skin and nerves. If not treated promptly, it will leave behind sequelae such as loss of sensation in the nerves, permanent disability, and body deformity.
Leprosy is primarily transmitted through contact, but it is thought to be transmitted through the secretions of an infected person, requiring close and prolonged contact. However, if a patient has started treatment, their ability to transmit the disease is reduced by 99%. The transmission rate between spouses is only 2-3%. The disease is not hereditary and can be cured.
Previously, leprosy was considered an incurable disease, difficult to cure, later there were mono-chemotherapy drugs, poly-chemotherapy drugs... many patients were treated promptly, preventing infection in the community. This is a success worldwide, including Vietnam.
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| A leprosy patient comes to the Central Dermatology Hospital for examination. Photo: Provided by the hospital |
Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said that Vietnam aims to eliminate leprosy in the coming years. The Central Dermatology Hospital is the leading specialized hospital, directing the National Leprosy Prevention Program. Currently, nationwide, the number of leprosy patients being managed is about 10,000, with 100-200 new cases each year.
Currently, all leprosy patients are treated with multi-chemotherapy at the prescribed dose and duration, at home, and completely free of charge. In case of complications, inpatient treatment can be performed at medical facilities. If detected early, after only 6 months to a year of treatment, the disease can be completely cured, leaving no sequelae.
Up to now, medicine has not yet had a vaccine to prevent leprosy, so the health sector recommends propaganda to help people understand leprosy, not to avoid, fear, and avoid discrimination. Environmental hygiene, adequate diet and nutrition improve the body's resistance. When people suspect symptoms of the disease (such as skin lesions accompanied by loss of sensation of heat, cold, pain, etc.), they need to go to medical facilities for timely consultation, diagnosis and treatment to avoid possible disabilities.
Leprosy has a long incubation period of up to 20 years, so it will take a very long time to eradicate leprosy. The goal of leprosy control in the period 2021-2025 is to promote and complete recognition of leprosy elimination at the district level in 63 provinces/cities.
